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CHARLES ROWLAND, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Letters Patent vNo. 87,072, dated February 16, 18 59 IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS FOR THE The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom lhf may'concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES RQWLAND, of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps for the Hair; and I do hereby declare that the following is a i full, clear, and exact description thereof', reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, like letters indicating like parts, wherever they occur.

'Io enable others skilled in the art to construct and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

My invention consists in a spring-clasp for securing and retaining ladies7 hair` in position, as hereinafter explained.

Figure l is a side view of the device locked together, as in use, with ornaments attached.

Figure 2 is a side view of the clasp opened, with a' portion shown in section.

In arranging and dressing the hair of the head, it is necessary to secure it in strands, or twists, more or less, and for this purpose, it is customary to use strings, hair-pins, and similar devices.

These are inconvenient and objectionable, for a variety of reasons, and hence, it is desirable to provide some other means, which shall be durable, eiiicient, easily applied, and, at the same time, ornamental.

This I accomplish by making a clasp, as follows:

First, I providetwo small semicircular bars, A, and unite them by a hinge-joint, e, as represented in gs. 1 and 2. To one of these bars A, I secure a small dat spring, f, which extends some distance beyond the end of the bar A, and is curved, as represented in g. 2, so that, whenlthebars A are-'brought together, or nearly so, the spring f shall press against -the outside of the other bar, A, and hold it in position.

This spring f has a small knob, n, secured to its outside, near the free end, and has a point, o, projecting from its inner side, fitted to engage in'recesses u, of which there is a series, in the outer face of the bar A, as shown in lig. 2.

By thisarraugement, a greater or less quantity of' hair cani be'secured within the ring or clasp.

From the inner face of the bars A; one or more pins, c, project, so that, when the clasp is closed around a strand, or twist of the hair, these pins will penetrate the mass, and thus keep the clasp from slipping.

The bars A have a hole made through-them, in which a separate pin may be inserted, as represented in lig. 1; this pin Bserving the double purpose of securing the clasp more firmly in place, and also as a means of attaching pendent ornaments, of any suitable kind, as represented by O, of lig. I. i Y

The clasp may bemade of metal, ivory, hard rubber, or of any combination of these materials, or any snitable material, and may be formed in any ornamental style that fancy may dictate. l

When the bows are made of metal, or other hard substance, I propose, if deemed desirable, to put rubber, or other yielding material, on their inner side, and so as to project beyond their rim, in order to prevent any possible slipping of the clasp, and chaing or cutting of the hair.

In applying it, the clasp is opened, and placed around the strand, or twist of hair, and then closed and locked by means of the spring f, the series of recesses 'lt-permitting .it to be adjusted to fit the quantity of hair, as desired.

By this means I produce aclasp which is admirably fitted for the purpose intended, that is eiiicient and ornamental, and does away with thc use of unsightly and inconvenient strings and cords, heretofore used for this purpose.

Having thus described my invention,

What I claim, is-

1, A clasp for the hair, consisting of the hinged bars A, with the retaining-pins c and locking-device f, the whole constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described.

2. The hinged bars A, having holesfor the insertion of a pin, B, with' or without pendent ornaments, substantially as herein described, and for the purpose set forth. Y

` v OHS. ROW-LAIID. Witnesses:

SEYMOUR G.,WILcox,

Gno. H. DIoKsoN.' 

